Diabetics With Foot Complications Have Impaired Cognitive Function

Diabetic foot is one of the most severe but also preventable long-term complications of diabetes mellitus. The symptoms appear as non-healing foot ulcers and necrosis and, if untreated, can lead to multiple amputations.

The lifetime risk of a person with diabetes developing a foot ulcer could be as high as 25 percent. Says Rachel Natovich, a recent BGU Ph.D. graduate who conducted the study:

“This study shows a clear correlation between diabetes and cognitive deterioration. Diabetes is a multi-system condition that affects the brain, and the risk of a diabetic developing dementia is twice that of a ‘normal’ person. Diabetic foot is a symptom that the diabetes is causing deterioration of the entire cardiovascular system.

There is no research focusing on the cognitive functioning of these patients, despite the fact that the micro and macro vascular changes underlying the diabetic foot are systemic, occurring in many different organs, including the brain,” says Dr. Natovich. “Presently, research regarding diabetic foot focuses mainly on epidemiology, prevention and ulcer treatment.”

Significantly Impaired

According to the research, those with diabetic foot remember less, have decreased concentration, difficulty with learning, decreased inhibition, slower cognitive and psychomotor responses, and decreased verbal fluency. This implies that diabetic patients with diabetic foot complication suffer cognitive difficulties above and beyond those known in the general diabetic population.

The cognitive abilities of the two groups were similar prior to developing the condition. However, the current cognitive status of diabetic foot patients in the study is significantly impaired.

“This new information is an important contribution to the healthcare of patients due to their increased risk for medical complications and the unique challenge that they present to healthcare providers,” Natovich says. “Successful adherence to medical recommendations requires considerable cognitive abilities like intact concentration, memory and executive functions.”